Businessweek Archives

Demographics

August 23, 1992

Washington Outlook: Capital Wrapup

DEMOGRAPHICS

For the better part of two decades, the baby boom generation has been the elusive grail of American politics. Win the hearts of this huge but diverse voting bloc, consultants told politicians, and victory is yours. But the age of the boomers may be slipping away without their electoral potential as a bloc ever having been realized. From a peak of 45.2% of the voting-age population in 1982, the boomers have slipped to 41% now. They'll drop below 40% by 1996. Still, boomers vote more as they age--which explains the double-boomer Democratic ticket's bid for the generation.EDITED BY STEPHEN H. WILDSTROM